Tool string telemetry network

ABSTRACT

A downhole network includes a tool string such as a drill string or marine riser. The tool string may comprise components in communication with a surface control unit, SCU, storing executable code associated with the downhole tool string components. A downhole network may be in communication with the SCU and the downhole tool string components. The SCU may be in communication with a surface multi-network controller which is in communication with the downhole network and in communication with a remote downhole tool string, a remote downhole network, and a remote tool string component. The remote downhole tool string or marine riser may comprise a plurality of interconnected wired tubulars. The wired tubulars may comprise inductive couplers comprising reinforced MCEI troughs. The surface multi-network controller may be in communication with a mobile device comprising a restricted subscriber identification module (SIM). The SIM may restrict communications to the respective downhole networks.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application presents a modification of U.S. Pat. No.7,733,240, to Hall et al., entitled System for Configuring Hardware in aDownhole Tool, issued Jun. 8, 2010, which is incorporated herein by thisreference. The figures and text, except as modified herein, are largelytaken from the '240 reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/713,948, to Fox, entitled ReinforcedMCEI Transducer for Downhole Communication, filed Apr. 5, 2022, isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and hardware for loading executablecode to volatile memory in a downhole tool, specifically to downholetools that are part of a downhole tool string. Software for downholetools on a downhole tool string need to be programmed for numerousconditions. New software may require constant updates to fix errors thatresult from unforeseen conditions for which the software was notdesigned. Under some circumstances it is also beneficial to providespecialized software to a downhole tool so that it may perform uniqueand/or specialized tasks according to the software it has loaded. U.S.Pat. No. 6,670,880 (hereafter referred to as the '880 patent), which isherein incorporated by reference, discloses a system for transmittingdata through a string of downhole components. In one aspect of theinvention in the '880 patent, the system includes first and secondmagnetically-conductive electrically-insulating (MCEI) elements at bothends of the components. Each MCEI element includes a U-shaped troughwith a bottom, first and second sides and an opening between the twosides. Electrically conducting coils are located in each trough. Anelectrical conductor connects the coils in each component. Thisarchitecture allows transmission of a signal through the string ofdownhole components and connects downhole tools to equipment located onthe surface. The tools located in the bottom hole assembly and toolslocated along the string of downhole components require executable codeto perform their operations.

Updating the executable code of downhole tools complicate the operationsof the on-site crew. Errors in the executable code may require portionsof the executable code to be rewritten. Loading new software requires asubstantial amount executable code to be written to the downhole tool.Often removing the entire downhole tool string is required to access theexecutable code, which is costly and time consuming. It is not uncommonfor a drill string to be 20,000 feet long. Further complicating thematter is the cost associated with the processors for downhole tools.Due to the extreme conditions downhole, high temperature processors arerequired for the downhole tools. The transmission system disclosed inthe '880 patent is capable of operating many tools at once due to itshigh speed ability. The combined cost of all of the processors in thedownhole tools may add to several million dollars, which increases iferrors in the executable code require replacements.

Attempts at resolving the problems associated with software failures anderrors in downhole tools are recognized in the industry. Designingredundant systems with back up processors is one approach. U.S. Pat. No.4,815,076 discloses a machine implemented process for advisement onseveral alternatives for recovering from a single or multiple componentfailures in a distributed process well-site instrumentation loggingsystem. In this process, when a critical part of the downhole system hasfailed, the role of a failed processor may be shifted to anotherprocessor and the software failure may be overcome.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,633 proposes a sonde that includes signal processingmeans according to a predetermined signal processing program, firstmemory means for storing that signal processing program, and secondmemory means storing a writing program for writing the signal processingprogram in the first memory means. The sonde's software may be writtenat the surface, sent over a cable to the sonde, and rebooted from thesurface. To avoid removing the sonde every time an error is discoveredin the system, the rewritten software is written in electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Due to the limitationsof EEPROM, the sonde keeps track of the number of times that the sondeis reprogrammed and after a determined number of reprogrammings, thesonde is retrieved and the EEPROM is replaced. This system reduces thenumber of times that a downhole tool's software needs to be replaced,but there is still a significant amount of non-volatile memory downhole.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a modification of the '240 reference. The modificationincludes the addition of putting the surface control unit incommunication with a multi-network controller that is in communicationwith a remote downhole network and a remote tool string component.

The remote downhole network and the remote tool string component may bepart of a remote drill string or a remote marine riser. The modificationalso includes a mobile device comprising a restricted subscriberidentification module (SIM) that restricts the mobile device tocommunication between the surface control unit and the multi-networkcontroller. The mobile device may also be in communication with acomputer in communication with the surface control unit. Another featureof the modification is a reinforced MCEI element, as disclosed in the'948 reference, that may be used in an inductive coupler located in eachtool joint of the remote downhole wired tubulars housing the downholenetwork.

With respect to this disclosure, the remote tool string, the remotedownhole network, and the remote tool string components may beconfigured substantially as described in (Prior Art) FIGS. 2 through 12,and their related text.

The following portion of the summary is taken from the '240 reference.Briefly stated, the invention is a system and method for loading ahardware configuration into downhole configurable hardware.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes asurface control unit at the surface of a drilling or production wellsite. The surface control unit comprises a hardware configuration,preferably stored as binary data, transmits it over a downhole networkintegrated into a tool string to configurable hardware in a downholetool component. The downhole network is preferably the one described inthe aforementioned '880 patent. However other compatible systems fortransmitting data from the surface to a downhole component are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,688,396 and 6,641,434 to Floerke and Boylerespectively, both of which are herein incorporated by reference. Thedownhole string component is preferably a node in the downhole networkor a tool in the tool string such as a jar, a motor, a shock absorber, ahammer, or a drill bit, all of which may be associated with a node inthe downhole network.

The hardware configuration transmitted over the downhole network isimplemented in the configurable hardware, which is preferably a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA). The hardware configuration may adapt theconfigurable hardware to be able to perform one or more desired downholetasks. The downhole tool component itself may comprise modems,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or processors thatmay be in electrical communication with and the configurable hardwareand even assist in implementing the hardware configuration. In certainembodiments, the surface control unit may receive the hardwareconfiguration from a third party such as a tool vendor through anexternal network such as the internet.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method foradapting configurable hardware to downhole operations in a downhole toolstring component includes the steps of transmitting a hardwareconfiguration over a downhole network from a surface control unit to thedownhole tool string component and implementing the received hardwareconfiguration in the configurable hardware. In certain embodiments thedownhole tool string component may request the hardware configurationfrom the surface control unit over the integrated downhole network.These requests may be made automatically upon reading an instruction inboot memory but changing downhole hardware requirements may also requirethe downhole tool string component to request a new hardwareconfiguration. In additional embodiments, the hardware configuration maybe received by the surface control unit through an external network suchas a local area network or the internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a modified block diagram of (Prior Art) FIG. 3 depicting anembodiment of a downhole network as described herein.

(Prior Art) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a downholetool string.

(Prior Art) FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adownhole network.

(Prior Art) FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anetwork interface modem.

(Prior Art) FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of aprocessor in a downhole tool.

(Prior Art) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method forloading an executable code.

(Prior Art) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method forloading an executable code.

(Prior Art) FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment ofa processor in a downhole tool.

(Prior Art) FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method forloading an executable code.

(Prior Art) FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of aprocessor with configurable hardware in a downhole tool.

(Prior Art) FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method foradapting configurable hardware to downhole operations in a downhole toolstring component.

(Prior Art) FIG. 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a methodfor adapting configurable hardware to downhole operations in a downholetool string component.

(Prior Art) FIG. 13 is a diagram of a reinforced MCEI element of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a modification of the '240 reference. The modificationincludes the addition of putting the surface control unit 14 incommunication with a multi-network controller 81 that is incommunication with a remote downhole network 82 and a remote tool stringcomponent 83. The remote downhole network 82 and the remote tool stringcomponent 83 may be part of a remote drill string or a remote marineriser. The modification also includes a mobile device 84 comprising arestricted subscriber identification module (SIM) that restricts themobile device to communication between the surface control unit 14 andthe multi-network controller 81. The mobile device 84 may also be incommunication with a computer 12 in communication with the surfacecontrol unit 14. Another feature of the modification is a reinforcedMCEI element, as disclosed in the '948 reference, see (Prior Art) FIG.13, that may be used in an inductive coupler located in each tool jointof the remote downhole wired tubulars housing the downhole network.

With respect to this disclosure, except as modified herein, the remotetool string, the remote downhole network, and the remote tool stringcomponents may be configured substantially as described in (Prior Art)FIGS. 2 through 13, and their related text.

(Prior Art) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a downhole tool string 32 in abore hole. The downhole tool string 32 may be a drill string or it maybe part of a production well. A derrick 31 suspends the downhole toolstring 32. A data swivel 16 connects the surface control unit 14 to thedownhole tool string 32. Components 33 of the downhole tool string 32may be pipes wherein each pipe comprises a box end and a pin end. Thepin end and box end connect together and form a joint 34 in the downholetool string 32. In the preferred embodiment there are inductive couplersin the pin end and box end of the components 33 of the downhole toolstring 32. Alternatively direct electrical couplers may be used.

Examples of tools on a bottom hole assembly 19 comprise sensors, drillbits, motors, hammers, and steering elements. Examples of tools 18located along the downhole tool string 32 are nodes, jars 35, seismicsources 36, seismic receivers 37, and sensors, and other tools that aidin the operations of the downhole tool string 32. Different sensors areuseful downhole such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors,inclinometers, thermocouples, accelerometers, and imaging devices.

(Prior Art) FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment ofintegrated downhole network 29. The surface control unit 14 connects tothe data swivel 16, which maintains an electric connection to thedownhole network 29 integrated into the downhole tool string 32. Thenodes 17, in the downhole network 29, may comprise a repeater, at leastone network interface modem, NIM, 15, a tool port 21, a power source 45,and other electronic components. The integrated downhole network 29 maybe capable of transmitting information faster than 20 kilobits persecond; preferably, faster than 100 kilobits per second. Morepreferably, the transmission system may be capable of transmitting datafaster than 1 megabit per second. In the preferred embodiment, eachdownhole component 33 comprises a single coaxial cable connectingtransmission elements in the ends of the joints 34 of the downhole toolstring 32. Alternatively, the integrated downhole network 29 maycomprises additional electrical pathways from the downhole tool 18 tothe surface control unit 14. Preferably, the electrical pathway is anelectrical conductor capable of transmitting a data signal or a powersignal. The electrical pathway may comprise a coaxial cable, a copperwire, a fiber optics cable, or other type of cable.

Executable codes may be stored in memory 11 in the surface control unit14. The surface control 14 unit may be a personal computer.Alternatively, the surface control unit 14 may be connected to apersonal computer 12 over a local area network 13. Executable codes arecopies of memory stored in non-volatile memory that may be loaded intovolatile memory, such as the volatile memory of a node 17, tool 18, orbottom hole assembly 19. Examples of executable codes include software,operating systems, at least part of an operating system, at least onecalibration constant, at least one data file, and at least oneinstruction code. The storage 11 of the surface control unit 14 maycomprise non-volatile memory or volatile memory. The non-volatile memorymay be associated with a hard drive. The volatile memory may beassociated with a removable medium (e.g. floppy disk, zip disk) or in aremovable drive (e.g. USB drive, removable hard drive). A removablemedium allows the workers to program software away from the on-sitelocation and also provides a back up to any non-volatile memory in thesurface control unit 14. Non-volatile memory in the surface control unit14 may be a type of ROM, such as EPROM and EEPROM. In the preferredembodiment, the executable codes are stored on a hard drive in thesurface control unit 14. Also in the preferred embodiment, the surfacecontrol unit 14 comprises a form of ROM and RAM 25. The ROM may storethe executable code for downhole volatile memory in the downhole tools18.

The surface control unit 14 also stores data from the downhole tools 18such as measurements from the sensors. In the preferred embodiment, thesurface control unit 14 has a user interface so the on-site crew mayaccess the downhole data.

A local area network 13 may connect the surface control to computers 12all around the world, through the internet. Updates may be written bythe manufacturer without the manufacturer coming to on-site locations,or without delivering updates to the on-site locations. Updates may fixerrors in the operating system or may replace older versions of thetool's software. On-line access allows the manufacturer to monitor theirtools 18 while the tools 18 operate downhole. Drill strings are usuallyrented, so companies want to maximize their drilling time. The operatingsystems that run the downhole tools 18 may experience situations thatwere unforeseen during its programming. A quick recovery to errors mayincrease a company's profit.

When an error is discovered, the manufacturer may fix the problem byrewriting all or a portion of the program and then sending it throughthe internet to the surface control unit 14. Other on-sites locationsnot experiencing a particular error may receive the same updatesavoiding the same experience. The manufacturer may have the executablecodes stored on their server and the executable codes may be receivedover the local area network 13. Preferably, the manufacturer backs upthe executable codes. Alternatively, the manufacturer's server may bethe primary location for the executable codes.

The downhole tool string 32 may comprises tools 18 made by differentmanufacturers. The surface control unit 14 may store executable codesfor the different tools 18 from different manufactures. Storing theexecutable codes in the processor 30 of the downhole tools 18 innon-volatile memory is expensive. Loading the executable codes from thesurface control unit 14 into downhole volatile memory eliminates theneed for most of the non-volatile memory downhole. Reducing the amountof non-volatile memory downhole greatly reduces costs. One processor inthe surface control unit 14 that stores all the executable codes for thedownhole tools 18 on the downhole tool string 32 may be expensive, butthe cost of this processor compared to the cost of all of the processorsin the downhole tools 18, may be significantly cheaper. Further, thenon-volatile memory storage in the surface control unit 14 may notexperience the same extreme conditions as the downhole tools 18 and maybe stored by a less expensive means.

The surface control unit 14 comprises a NIM 15. Preferably, the NIM 15translates the binary form of the executable code to an analogue form tobe transmitted downhole via the downhole network 29. Preferably, eachdownhole tool 18 along the downhole network 29 is also associated with anode 17. Alternatively, the downhole tool 18 may comprise the NIM 15. Anembodiment of the node 17 is disclosed in (Prior Art) FIG. 4.

The processing element 46 determines, based off a packet header, whereto send a packet. If the packet header indicates that the packet'saddress is for an associated tool 18 then the packet is passed to theprocessor 30 of that downhole tool 18 as shown in (Prior Art) FIG. 5.The packet leaves the node 17 through the tool port 21. If the packetheader indicates that the packet belongs in another destination, thenthe processing element 46 sends the packet out through a NIM 15. Thenetwork 29 in the preferred embodiment uses QPSK to modulate thepackets, but other embodiments include CW, OOK, PCM, FSK, QAM or similarmodulation types. Packets in the downhole network 29 may be like anypackets known in the art. The network 29 may follow the protocols ofcollision based networks, token based networks, or other types ofnetworks.

(Prior Art) FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of aprocessor 30 in a downhole tool 18. A central processing unit (CPU) 23directs a packet of at least part of an executable code to RAM 25 andthe executable code is written into RAM 25. Other volatile memory typesmay be used in other embodiments of the present invention. The CPU 23may also interact with an I/O interface 26, which operates actuators 27and sensors 28. The executable code may be a software executable codefor the operations of the tool 18, including the downhole tool'soperating system or calibration constants needed to perform itsoperations. The executable code may be a data file. The time of day andother useful types of information may be sent to the processors 30 indownhole tools 18 as well. Other executable codes may include codes forthe tool 18 to synchronize its operations with other tools, setparameters, reset registers, read registers, find the status of devicesdownhole, and perform other requests.

An embodiment of a method 57 for retrieving calibration constants isillustrated in (Prior Art) FIG. 6. The first step 49 comprises the CPUrequesting calibration constants from the surface control unit 14. Theoperating system may indicate to the CPU 23 that calibration constantsare needed to set parameters for the downhole tool 18 to operate. Duringa second step 50 the surface control unit 14 sends the calibrationconstants to the downhole tool 18 over the downhole network 29. Theprocessing elements 46 direct the packets containing the calibrationconstants to the correct downhole tool 18. Upon receiving thecalibration constants, another step 51 is performed, where the CPU 23writes the calibration constants into the volatile memory. Preferably,the volatile memory is RAM 25.

Once the executable codes are written in RAM 25, the CPU 23 may readfrom the RAM 25 on how to operate the downhole tool 18. The CPU 23 sendsinstructions to the I/O interface 26 that receives data from sensors 28and sends signals to actuators 27. The data gained by the sensors 28 issent to the surface control unit 14 where it is stored and easilyaccessible to the on-site crew.

In the preferred embodiment, the processors 30 are designed to comprisethe least amount of ROM as possible. ROM, EPROM, and EEPROM are heatsensitive, which make using non-volatile memory downhole expensive anddifficult. The processors 30 downhole need to be designed to handle hightemperatures. High temperature resistant processors may be expensive andfewer high-temperature processors downhole reduce costs for the entiredownhole network 29. In the preferred embodiment, the only ROM in theprocessors 30 of the downhole tool 18 is the boot ROM 24.

In the preferred embodiment, boot memory 24 is necessary for theprocessor 30 to operate. When the downhole tool 18 makes electricalcontact with a power source, electricity flows into the circuits of theprocessor 30. The boot ROM 24 is awakened by the electrical current andsends a one-way signal to the CPU 23 requesting the CPU 23 to retrievean executable code of the processor's operating system. The CPU 23requests the executable code from the surface control unit 14. Thepackets sent by the CPU 23 include an identification of the tool 18 thatsent the request. This identification may be a manufacturer number, aserial number, or a model number. The identification tells the surfacecontrol unit 14, which operating system's executable code to retrieve.The operating system's executable code is sent back to the CPU 23 and isloaded into the RAM 25.

An embodiment for a method 58 for correcting errors in downhole tools 18is shown in (Prior Art) FIG. 7. The first step 41 comprises discoveringan error in some executable code. An error may be discovered in adownhole tool 18 when the downhole tool 18 doesn't operate properly. Theexecutable code may be analyzed from the surface control unit 14. A nextstep 42 is rewriting the executable code. The code may be written at ornear the drilling site, or it may be written else where and sent overthe local area network 13. Step 43 comprises loading the rewrittenexecutable code into the surface control unit 14. This may be done byuploading it over the local area network 13 or from a removable media.The next step 44 starts a rebooting process. The downhole tool 18 isrestarted. In the preferred embodiment, the executable code with theerror is erased from RAM 25. When the CPU activates, it reads from bootmemory 24 in step 45. The boot memory 24 instructs the CPU 23 to lookfor the operating system in the surface control unit 14. In step 46, theCPU 23 sends a request to the surface control unit 14 for executablecode, which will contain code for at least part of the operating system.In another step 47, the surface control unit 14 sends the rewrittenexecutable code to the CPU 23 over the downhole network 29. The signalsent from the surface control unit 14 is directed to the correctdownhole tool 18 by the network 29. In the final step 48, the CPU 23writes the executable code into RAM 25.

Updates may be added to the executable code during rebooting. Theupdates may fix errors in previous executable code. The errors may besyntax errors, semantic errors, or algorithmic errors. When the CPU 23requests the operating system's executable code during rebooting, theupdates are included as part of the executable code and the error shouldbe removed. If the surface control unit 14 did not have the executablecodes for the processor 30, gaining access to the downhole tool'ssoftware would require removing the downhole tool string 32 from theborehole. A lot of time is saved by rewriting the software and loadingit to the surface control unit 14 and then rebooting the downholenetwork 29. Preferably, the boot ROM 24 is just large enough to ensurethat the executable codes are requested.

Another advantage to using RAM 25 in downhole tools 18 is that RAM 25 ismuch faster than forms of non-volatile memory. The CPU 23 operates thedownhole tool 18 based off the code written in RAM 25. Tools 18 thatrespond quicker allow data to be sent to the surface quicker. In somesituations, as when a high pressure pocket of gas is hit duringdrilling, an on-site crew needs a warning as soon as possible. Even awarning that arrives several seconds faster could make a criticaldifference in emergency situations.

(Prior Art) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a processor 30 in a downholetool 18 that requires no ROM. No ROM may be achieved by using a dualported RAM 40. However, certain embodiments comprising no non-volatilememory in the processor 30 comprise a single ported RAM 25. In anembodiment where the processor 30 has no non-volatile memory downhole,the executable codes must be sent to the processors 30 from the surfacecontrol unit 14. The node 17 may read off and write to the dual portedRAM 40 in the processor 30 of the downhole tool 18. The CPU 23 of theprocessor 30 may also read off and write to the dual ported RAM 40. Sucha processor may 30 require a design that avoids both the CPU and node 17from interacting with the dual ported RAM 40 at the same time. A resetmechanism 38 may keep the CPU 23 inactive until the necessary executablecodes are loaded into the dual ported RAM 40. When RAM 40 has enoughcode the reset mechanism 38 activates the CPU 23. In this embodiment thenodes 17 comprise enough intelligence to direct the executable to thecorrect processors.

An embodiment of method 59 is shown in (Prior Art) FIG. 9. The firststep 52 of method 59 describes the booting process once a downhole tool18 achieves electrical communication with the surface control unit 14.Typically, electrical communication is achieved when the downhole tool18 is attached to the data swivel 16. A second step 53 comprises the CPU23 activating and reading from boot memory 24. The boot memory 24 willdirect the CPU 23 to look for executable code in the surface controlunit 14 and in the next step 54, the CPU 23 requests from the surfacecontrol unit 14 executable code over the downhole network 29. During thenext step 55, the surface control unit 14 sends the executable code tothe CPU 23 over the downhole network 29. In the final step 56, the CPU23 writes the executable code into volatile memory.

Preferably, the downhole tools 18 are booted when they are electricallyconnected to the surface control unit 14. During tripping, a top-holeadapter connects to the uppermost component in the downhole tool string32, which has a connection to the surface control unit 14. The top-holeadapter may be a data swivel 16 or any electrical connection joining thesurface control unit 14 and the downhole tool string 32. Preferably, thetop-hole adapter is connected to the component first before it is addedto the downhole tool string 32. This allows an immediate connection tothe tools 18 already downhole and the crew may communicate with thedownhole tools 18 immediately. Also, as the downhole tool string 32 islowered further into the established borehole, if there is an emergency,the on-site crew has access to downhole information immediately. In thisscenario, any tool 18 that is attached to the component to be added tothe downhole tool string 32 begins loading its operating system'sexecutable codes before it is connected to the downhole tool string 32.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a tool 18 isadded to the downhole tool string 32, the boot ROM 24 may automaticallyrequest the executable codes from the surface control unit 14. However,when several sections of pipe are being added or removed, such as duringtripping, the electrical connection from the main power source may belost momentarily. Under these conditions, the downhole tools 18 would beturned on and off every time that connection is lost. Booting andrebooting every tool 18 on the downhole tool string 32 may create packetcollisions due to high traffic in the downhole network 29. Preferablyevery node 17 in the downhole network 29 comprises a power source, whichallows the tools 18 to operate in a sleep mode when the connection tothe main power source is disrupted. The sleeping mode comprises a lowpower setting which allows the tools 18 to remain on, but not enough tobe operational. The nodes 17 on the downhole tool string 32 may bedesigned to run in this sleep mode for about 40 days. When a signal fromthe surface reaches a tool 18 in sleeping mode, the tool 18 wakes up andthe tool 18 becomes fully powered for operation. This system saves thetools 18 from rebooting repetitively during activities such as tripping.There may also be a zero power setting option for when no power isneeded in the downhole tool string 32.

Referring now to (Prior Art) FIG. 10, in some embodiments of theinvention the executable code may be a hardware configuration forconfigurable hardware 901 in a downhole tool string component. In theembodiment shown, the downhole tool string component is a tool 18 incommunication with a network node 17. In other embodiments, the downholetool string component may be a component such as a section of drillpipe, a jar, a hammer, a downhole motor, a shock absorber, or abottom-hole assembly.

The network node 17 is in communication with the surface control unit 14through the downhole network 29. Preferably the configurable hardware901 is a field programmable gate array (FPGA) programmable by the CPU23. The configurable hardware 901 is shown in this figure as part of theprocessor 30 and in communication with the CPU 23. In other embodiments,the configurable hardware 901 may be separate from but peripherallyconnected to the processor 30. In such embodiments, the processor 30 maystill be adapted to configure the configurable hardware 901.

The configurable hardware 901 may allow the downhole tool 18 to berather versatile in the tasks it performs downhole, as it may beprogrammed to perform a variety of hardware-based tasks. For instance,the configurable hardware 901 may be used to perform a first task for acertain period during drilling or well operations and additional tasksduring other periods. Some examples of tasks that the configurablehardware 901 may be adapted to perform are processing data, storingdata, transmitting data, actuating tools, and processing and storingreadings in addition to several other application-specific needs.Separate tasks performed by the configurable hardware 901 may requireseparate hardware configurations. The surface control unit 14 may send ahardware configuration through the downhole network 29 that is routed tothe CPU 23 of the tool 18 from the node 17.

The CPU 23 may be in communication with the configurable hardware 901and adapted to implement the hardware configuration.

Referring now to (Prior Art) FIG. 11, one embodiment of a method 1000for adapting configurable hardware 901 to downhole operations includesthe downhole tool string component requesting 1010 the hardwareconfiguration from the surface control unit 14. A CPU 23 in the downholetool string component may transmit the request over the downhole network29 to the surface control unit 14. The surface control unit 14 transmits1020 the hardware configuration over the downhole network 29 from thesurface control unit 14 to the downhole tool string component and thehardware configuration is implemented 1030 in the configurable hardware901. In alternate embodiments, the downhole tool component may not needto request 1010 the hardware configuration from the surface control unit14 to receive an updated hardware configuration. For instance, thesurface control unit 14 may send 1020 the hardware configuration to thedownhole tool string component when an updated hardware configurationbecomes available, or when the specific application of the configurablehardware 901 changes.

Referring to (Prior Art) FIG. 12, another method 1100 for adaptingconfigurable hardware 901 to downhole operations may include thedownhole tool 18 achieving 1110 communication with the surface controlunit 14 through the downhole network 29. Upon achieving 1110communication, the CPU 23 is activated 1120, either by the surfacecontrol unit 14 or automatically by an electronic signal from thedownhole network 29. Once activated, the CPU 23 then reads 1130 startupinstructions from boot memory 24. The startup instructions may directthe CPU 23 to request 1140 a hardware configuration for the configurablehardware 901 over the downhole network 29. Upon receiving the request,the surface control unit 14 may then transmit 1150 the hardwareconfiguration to the CPU 23 over the downhole network 29, which in turnallows the CPU 23 to implement 1160 the hardware configuration in theconfigurable hardware 901.

The surface control unit 14 may receive the hardware configuration froman external network such as a LAN or the internet. This allows thehardware configuration to be developed and transported from a locationremote to the drilling or well site. A developer may discover animprovement to a certain hardware configuration and send a revised ornew hardware configuration over the external network to the surfacecontrol device 14.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A system for loading executable code into a downhole tool stringcomponent, comprising: a downhole tool string component; a surfacecontrol unit storing executable code associated with the downhole toolstring component; a downhole network in communication with the surfacecontrol unit and the downhole tool string component; a surfacemulti-network controller in communication with the downhole network andin communication with a remote downhole network comprising a remote toolstring component; the downhole tool string component configured to senda request to the surface control unit and to the surface multi-networkcontroller identifying the downhole tool string component, and thesurface control unit and the surface multi-network controller eachconfigured to retrieve the executable code and transmit the executablecode to their respective downhole tool string components over theirrespective downhole networks in response to receiving the request. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the remote downhole network comprises aplurality of interconnected wired tubulars comprising tool jointscomprising inductive couplers comprising reinforced MCEI elements. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the surface multi-network controller isin communication with a mobile device comprising a restricted subscriberidentification module (SIM).
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the SIMrestricts mobile device communication to the surface control unit and tothe surface multi-network controller.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereina remote executable code is stored as binary data in the remote downholetool string component.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotedownhole tool string component comprises at least one field programmablegate array (FPGA).
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote downholetool string component comprises a node in the remote downhole network.8. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote downhole tool stringcomponent comprises hardware selected from the group consisting ofprocessors, modems, application-specific integrated circuits, andcombinations thereof.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotedownhole tool string component is in electrical communication with atleast one processor.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the remotedownhole tool string component comprises a drill pipe within a marineriser.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface multi-networkcontroller comprises a connection to a remote network selected from thegroup consisting of a local area network, the internet, a satellitenetwork, and combinations thereof.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe remote tool string component transmits a request to the surfacemulti-network controller requesting the executable code and identifyingthe remote downhole tool string component and the surface multi-networkcontroller installs the executable code on the remote downhole toolstring component.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote downholetool string component reads an instruction in its boot memory toinitiate the request to the surface multi-network controller.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein transmitting the executable code comprisestransmitting the executable code over the remote downhole network. 15.The system of claim 1, wherein an activation command to the remotedownhole tool string component is sent as soon as the remote downholetool string component is in electrical communication with the surfacemulti-network controller.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein theexecutable code is sent through the remote network nodes in the remotedownhole network to the remote downhole tool string component.
 17. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the surface multi-network controller receivesthe executable code from an external network.
 18. The system of claim 1,wherein the executable code is executed by circuitry in the remotedownhole tool string component.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein theremote downhole tool string component requests the executable code inresponse to changing remote hardware requirements.
 20. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the executable code comprises an operating system.